CAMPUS NEWS
Future Mathematicians
By: Basant Pangeni, PTS Mathematics Department
When AP Calculus finished last year,
there were no other classes offering
similar topics pertaining to a higher level
of mathematics. As a result, seniors Marcus Fernandez,
Sam Forristall, and Arissa Baiamonte approached Mr. Basant Pangeni
and asked him to support their advanced mathematical studies by
supervising an independent study. Meeting after school one day each
week, Mr. Pangeni taught these students First Order and Second
Order Ordinary Differential Equations, courses typically taken as a
sophomore in college. As part of the class, each student had to give a
presentation on a topic that related to Differential Equations. As a result,
Arissa gave a presentation on Autonomous Equations used when there
is no explicit occurrence of the independent variable in an equation.
Sam, on the other hand, demonstrated the Separation of Variables
Method; and showed how we can utilize Integrating Factors to solve
a First Order Differential equation and find the position function for
an object in freefall affected by drag. Marcus completed the course
with a lecture on Damping in Oscillating Systems, which required
techniques used to answer Homogeneous Linear Second Order Ordinary
Differential Equations and Euler's Equation. "Mr. Pangeni and Palmer
Trinity School gave us a rare opportunity that we would not have
"This Independent
Study gave us wonderful insight into
how mathematics is used in other fields,
and we are all glad that we now have a
had at another school," Arissa says.
One day each week, Mr. Pangeni taught the seniors college-level mathematics.
head start on learning difficult topics
that we will see again in college and
possibly use in our future careers."
This was the first time that the school has taught a mathematics course
of this level. As a result, it has caught the attention of some of the younger
students who are now interested in learning higher-level mathematics
that surpass AP Calculus next year.
Seniors Arissa Baiamonte, Sam Forristall and Marcus Fernandez
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